JP2006146466A - Recording medium and method for managing file system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium divided into a plurality of recording areas within a predetermined volume and formatted to a particular file system and being usable, without being formatted, in a record reproduction device of a file system that can handle a large volume; and to provide a method for managing a file system. <P>SOLUTION: The readable and writable recording medium 100 that is connected to an external record reproducing device during use includes a plurality of recording areas 150 having a first file system that indicates a format type; a controller 120 for controlling the recording areas in accordance with instructions from the external record reproducing device and for virtually converting the first file system into a second file system; and a virtual file system storage area 140 for storing the second file system created by the controller. The recording medium is usable with different record reproducing systems of the file systems without being formatted by the external record reproducing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an exchangeable recording medium, and more particularly, a recording medium and a file system conversion method that enable a recording medium formatted in a specific file system to be mutually used without being formatted by a device having a different file system. About.

  A recording / playback apparatus such as a digital camera or a mobile phone uses a memory card using a flash memory represented by a CompactFlash (registered trademark) or SD (Secure Digital) card as a recording medium. The capacity of the current memory card is about 1 gigabyte, but it is expected to increase to 2 gigabyte and 4 gigabyte in the future.

  On the other hand, in a recording / playback apparatus that handles memory cards, the file system is shifting to a file allocation table (hereinafter referred to as FAT) 32 that can handle a large capacity, but FAT16 is still mainstream. . Assuming that the FAT16 file system has a cluster address of 16 bits and a cluster size of 32 kilobytes, 2 gigabytes is the maximum area that can be realized by the file system.

  On the other hand, if the FAT32 file system has a cluster address of 32 bits and the cluster size is 4 kilobytes, 2 terabytes is the maximum area that can be realized by the system.

  Therefore, when a memory card larger than 2 GB is used in the FAT16 recording / reproducing apparatus, a method is proposed in which one area is divided into a plurality of small areas of 2 GB or less and the area is switched by an external switch. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in order to make a plurality of memory cards appear as one large-capacity memory card, the address conversion means converts one logical address system managed by the file management layer into a physical address system of a plurality of memory cards. A method for commonly managing these memory cards with one logical address system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Further, as is well known, a digital camera compliant with the DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) standard has a directory structure as shown in FIG. 16 when storing image data obtained by photographing on a recording medium. Store the data. This file management structure is based on the contents decided by DCF Ver1.0 which is a camera file system standard.

  In FIG. 16, 2001 is a root directory, 2002 is a DCF image root directory “DCIM”, 2003 is a DCF directory “100_PANA”, 2004 is a DCF directory “101_PANA”, 2005 is a DCF file group “P1000001.JPG”, etc., and 2006 is a DCF. A file group “P1010001.JPG” or the like is shown. According to the DCF standard, the file name at the time of data recording, the name of the directory holding the file, the storage location, etc. are stipulated in detail. Details of this rule are omitted, but the main items are described below.

(1) The name of the DCF image root directory immediately under the root directory is “DCIM”.
(2) The DCF directory name is 8 characters (directory number 3 characters + 5 free characters).
The directory number is a number from “100” to “999”, and “000” to “099” cannot be used. Free-characters use single-byte uppercase letters “A” to “Z”, “_”.
(3) The DCF file name is 8 characters (4 free characters + 4 file numbers: excluding the extension).
The file number is a number from “0001” to “9999”, and “0000” cannot be used. Free-characters use single-byte uppercase letters “A” to “Z”, “_”.
(4) As shown in FIG. 16, the directory named in the above (2) is created in DCIM and saved with the file name named in (3).

With the file management structure based on the DCF standard as described above, image data captured by a digital camera is stored in a recording area of a memory card.
JP 2004-86503 A JP 2001-325127 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a memory card divided into a plurality of recording areas within 2 gigabytes is used in a FAT32 recording / reproducing apparatus, it is already formatted in FAT16. It can only be used while switching between a plurality of recording areas, and can be accessed only in units of recording areas within 2 gigabytes formatted in FAT16.

  Moreover, in order to use as a large capacity memory card, it is necessary to reformat to FAT32, and if it is formatted, it can be used as a large capacity memory card, but once converted to FAT32, Data recorded by the FAT16 recording / reproducing apparatus is erased. Furthermore, it cannot be used in the FAT16 recording / reproducing apparatus as it is.

  Furthermore, in the technique for showing a plurality of memory cards described in Patent Document 2 as one large-capacity memory card, even when used in a FAT32 recording / reproducing apparatus, when handling a recording area of 2 gigabytes or more, FAT32 is used. The data recorded by the recording / reproducing apparatus of FAT16 is erased once it is converted to FAT32. Further, it cannot be used in a FAT16 recording / reproducing apparatus.

  In addition, when the memory card described in Patent Document 1 is used with a FAT16 digital camera and captured image data is stored, a new DCF image root is newly created directly under the root directory in accordance with the DCF standard every time a plurality of recording areas are switched. The directory “DCIM” is generated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 17a and 17b, image data groups (for example, 2101, 2102) recognized by a FAT16 digital camera stored in a plurality of recording areas can be recognized by a FAT32 digital camera ( For example, a state in which a directory having information on a plurality of recording areas (for example, MEM_A2111, MEM_B2112) is added to the memory card is created in the memory card so as to be 2110). When an image data group (for example, 2120) taken by a FAT32 digital camera is stored in this memory card, a new DCF image root directory “DCIM” (for example, 2121) is generated immediately below the root directory. Therefore, the DCF image root directory “DCIM” (for example, 2113, 2114) already generated by the FAT16 digital camera cannot be used.

  The present invention solves the conventional problems. A memory card divided into a plurality of recording areas within 2 gigabytes and formatted in FAT16 is a FAT16 recording / playback device and FAT32 recording / playback device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium and a file system management method capable of sharing a file without conversion and maintaining compatibility.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium connected to an external recording / reproducing apparatus for reading / writing data, and an interface connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus and a format type indicating the format. A plurality of recording areas having one file system, an internal register holding characteristic values unique to the recording medium, a controller for controlling the recording area in accordance with an instruction from the external recording / reproducing apparatus and a value of the internal register, and the recording A file system discrimination means for outputting a file system generation signal in accordance with a file system switching signal input from the outside of the medium, and a first file system is obtained based on the file system generation signal to obtain a pseudo second file system Pseudo file system conversion means for converting to a pseudo file system, and the pseudo file system A pseudo file system storage area for storing the second file system converted by the conversion means, and when the external recording / playback apparatus is an apparatus that uses the first file system, Using the first file system as it is, and using the second file system stored in the pseudo file system storage area when the external recording / reproducing device is a device using the second file system. It is characterized by.

  Further, in the recording medium, the pseudo file system converting means generates an address table for each recording area from the first file system, and an address for each recording area generated by the address table generating means. Address table integration means for collecting the tables as a second file system, write area instruction means for detecting a free space in a plurality of recording areas and designating a recording area for writing data, and a recording area designated by the writing area instruction means And a data writing means for writing data corresponding to the design rule for camera file system (hereinafter referred to as DCF) standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus to the plurality of recording areas.

  Further, in the recording medium, the address table generating means detects a directory recorded with a file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard from the first file system, and generates a first address table; Sub-directory detection means for detecting a subdirectory in the directory based on the first address table generated by the directory detection means and generating a second address table; and the second address generated by the directory detection means And a file detecting means for detecting a file in the subdirectory based on the table and generating a third address table.

  Further, in the recording medium, the address table integration unit integrates the second file system as a pseudo subdirectory when a subdirectory with the same name exists in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generation unit. It is characterized by generating.

  Further, in the recording medium, the address table integration means collects the second sub-directory as a pseudo sub-directory when there are sub-directory names including common characters in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generation means. It is characterized by generating a file system.

  Further, in the recording medium, the address table integration unit converts the file name to the pseudo file name when there is a file name with the same name in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generation unit. Is generated.

  Further, in the recording medium, the data writing means writes data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus into the recording area having the largest free space among the plurality of recording areas to be detected by the writing area instruction means. It is characterized by this.

  Further, in the recording medium, the data writing means writes data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus to the head recording area when the free areas of the plurality of recording areas detected by the writing area instruction means are the same. It is characterized by this.

  Further, in the file system management method of the present invention, in a recording medium connected to an external recording / reproducing apparatus and reading / writing data, obtaining a first file system of a plurality of recording areas included in the recording medium; A step of pseudo-converting the first file system into a second file system; a step of storing the second file system; and a step of switching the first file system based on a file system switching signal input from outside the recording medium. Selecting a file system and a second file system and outputting the selected file system to the external recording / reproducing apparatus, and when the external recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus that uses the first file system, Using the first file system in the recording area as it is, the external recording / playback apparatus When a device using a second file system is characterized in the use of the second file system that has been converted artificially.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of pseudo-converting the first file system into the second file system detects a directory recorded in the file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard from the first file system. And generating a first address table (first address table generating step), detecting a subdirectory in the directory based on the first address table, and generating a second address table (first A second address table generation step), a step of detecting a file in the subdirectory based on the second address table and generating a third address table (third address table generation step); and The address table generated for the second file A step of grouping as a system, a step of detecting a free space in the plurality of recording areas, designating a recording area in which data is written, and writing data corresponding to the DCF standard from an external recording / reproducing apparatus into the designated recording area It is characterized by comprising steps.

  Furthermore, in the file system management method, the address table generation step is repeatedly performed on the first file system acquired from each recording area.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system includes a pseudo-sub-routing when a subdirectory having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area. The second file system is generated as a directory together.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of grouping the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system is performed when a name of a subdirectory including common characters exists in the address table of each recording area. The second file system is created as a pseudo subdirectory.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system includes a pseudo file when a file name having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area. The second file system is generated by converting to a name.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus into the plurality of recording areas is the largest of the free capacity detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas. In this recording area, data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing device into the plurality of recording areas has the same free space detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas. In this case, data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written in the first recording area.

  Further, in the file system management method, the step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing device into the plurality of recording areas is based on whether the free space detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas is the data When the size is smaller than the size, a write disable message is output.

  According to the recording medium and the file system management method of the present invention, a memory card divided into a plurality of recording areas within 2 gigabytes and formatted in FAT16 is formatted between the FAT16 recording / reproducing apparatus and the FAT32 recording / reproducing apparatus. This makes it possible to share files without converting the file system, and maintain compatibility.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the recording medium of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording medium 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the recording medium 100 is assumed to be an SD memory card, and includes an interface 110, a controller 120, an internal register 130, a pseudo file system storage area 140, and a recording unit 150.

  In the SD memory card, the interface 110 includes a plurality of terminals and an interface driver 200 as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the interface 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. There are a total of nine terminals, which are connected to an external recording / reproducing apparatus (not shown). The recording medium 100 is supplied with power from the recording / reproducing apparatus through the terminal VDD, the terminal VSS1, and the terminal VSS2. Further, the terminal CMD (command or response) synchronized with the terminal CLK (clock signal) and the terminal DAT0, the terminal DAT1, the terminal DAT2, and the terminal DAT3 (data) are transmitted and received. The interface driver 200 is used to detect whether it is connected to an external recording / reproducing device from a terminal according to the SD memory card standard.

  The internal register 130 includes a plurality of registers according to the SD memory card standard. Each register is read by a command from the recording / reproducing apparatus, and affects the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus. For example, the operating power supply voltage of the card, each specification value of the card, and the like are recorded.

  The recording means 150 is composed of a plurality of recording areas. FIG. 3a is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording means 150 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3a shows an example in which the recording unit 150 having a capacity of 8 gigabytes is configured by four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) having a capacity of 2 gigabytes. Each recording area is formatted into the FAT16 file system by an external recording / reproducing apparatus, and the master boot record / partition table, partition boot sector, file allocation table (FAT), FAT copy, root directory, and data area are in the FAT16 file system 301. Written as ~ 304. The recording unit 150 can read data by designating an address or write data by designating an address and data.

  The controller 120 communicates with an external recording / reproducing apparatus according to the SD memory card standard, controls the recording means 150, and artificially converts the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 included in a plurality of recording areas into a FAT32 file system. .

  The pseudo file system storage area 140 is an area for storing the FAT32 file system converted by the controller 120. When the recording medium 100 is connected to a FAT32 file system recording / reproducing apparatus, communication is performed using the file system in the pseudo file system storage area 140. FIG. 3b is a diagram showing the configuration of the pseudo file system storage area 140 in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3b, the structure of the pseudo file system storage area 140 is a master boot record / partition table, a partition boot sector, a file allocation table (FAT), a FAT copy, a root directory, and a FAT16 file system converted to a FAT32 file system. It consists of a file system conversion table and is written as FAT32 file system 305.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the block configuration of the controller 120 and the connection of peripheral blocks according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 401 is a command decoder, 402 is a file system discrimination means, 403 is an address acquisition means, 404 is a memory interface, 405 is a pseudo file system conversion means, 406 is an address conversion means, 410 is a command, 411 is a response, 412 Is an address, 413 is data, 414 is an internal register address, 415 is an internal register value, 416 is an address acquisition timing signal, 417 is a memory access timing signal, 418 is an acquisition address, 420 is a file system switching signal, and 421 is an access area instruction 422 is a file system generation signal, 430 is a memory control signal, 431 is a memory address, and 432 is memory data.

  The controller 120 interprets the command 410, the address 412, and the data 413 received from the recording / reproducing apparatus via the interface 110 by the command decoder 401, and transmits the response 411 and the data 413 to the recording / reproducing apparatus via the interface 110. The file system determination unit 402 outputs a file system generation signal 422 according to the file system switching signal 420 input from the outside of the recording medium 100.

  Here, the file system switching signal 420 is provided with a switch or the like in the recording medium 100, and indicates a file system to be accessed by switching the switch. It is also possible to instruct as a command from the external recording / reproducing apparatus by incorporating it as a driver of the external recording / reproducing apparatus. For example, the recording medium 100 is provided with a slide switch (not shown), and when the slide switch is set to one, the file system switching signal 420 is set so as to be FAT16, and when set to the other, FAT32. Try to change. In advance, the user sets the slide switch to the FAT16 side when the external recording / reproducing device is a FAT16 device, and sets the slide switch to the FAT32 side when the external recording / reproducing device is a FAT32 device. The medium 100 is connected to an external recording / reproducing device.

  Further, the command decoder 401 outputs an address acquisition timing signal 416 and a memory access timing signal 417 based on the command 410, and the data 413 buffered in the memory interface 404 is recorded according to the address converted by the address conversion unit 406. Write to the pseudo file system storage area 140 or read from the recording means 150 or the pseudo file system storage area 140 according to the address converted by the address conversion means 406. Further, the internal register address 414 is output based on the command 410 and the internal register value 415 is read as data 413 to the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a case where the recording medium 100 is used in a FAT16 file system recording / reproducing apparatus and a FAT32 file system recording / reproducing apparatus will be described together with the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus. Here, the operation when the recording medium 100 having a plurality of recording areas formatted in the FAT16 is used in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT16 file system will be described with reference to FIG. The operation for using the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT16 file system as the recording medium 100 includes initial setting performed on the recording medium 100, a specification confirmation sequence, a file system confirmation sequence, and data access performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  First, as an initial setting for the recording medium 100, the information that the FAT16 file system is accessed from outside the recording medium 100 and the information of the recording area to be accessed are given, and the recording medium 100 is inserted into the recording / playback apparatus of the FAT16 file system. . (For example, a switch is provided on the recording medium 100 and the switch is switched so as to be accessed by the FAT16 file system. Furthermore, a recording area to be accessed is provided and a recording area to be accessed is designated.) Assume that one recording area 151 is accessed.

  When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT16 file system detects that the recording medium 100 is inserted, the recording / reproducing apparatus issues a command to read the internal register 130 in order to acquire specific information of the recording medium 100 as a connection process. When interpreting that the command decoder 401 is a command for reading the internal register 130, the command decoder 401 outputs an internal register address 414 corresponding to the command. Further, the internal register value 415 corresponding to the address is fetched, and the response 411 and the data 413 are returned to the interface 110. The interface 110 communicates with the recording / reproducing apparatus in accordance with the SD memory card standard. The register access is repeated several times, and the unique information of the recording medium 100 such as the operating power supply voltage, the card address, and the communication clock frequency is acquired. The recording / reproducing apparatus that has acquired the unique information sets an optimum power source and clock frequency for the recording medium 100 and performs subsequent control (hereinafter, a series of processing is referred to as a specification confirmation sequence).

  The recording / reproducing apparatus that has completed the specification confirmation sequence uses the access area instruction signal 421 from a switch provided outside the recording medium 100 to confirm whether the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled. A read command for reading out (master boot record / partition table, partition boot sector) in the system area of the FAT16 file system 301 in one recording area 151 is issued. Further, the file system determination unit 402 receives the file system switching signal 420 and the access area instruction signal 421, and outputs the file system generation signal 422 in a disabled state. When the command decoder 401 interprets the command to read the system area of the FAT16 file system 301 in the first recording area 151, the command decoder 401 outputs an address acquisition timing signal 416 corresponding to the command, and the address acquisition means 403 acquires the address. To do. Since the file system generation signal 422 output from the file system determination unit 402 is in a disabled state, the memory interface 404 responds to the acquired address 418 without using the pseudo file system conversion unit 405 and the address conversion unit 406. The memory address 431 and the memory control signal 430 are output, the memory data 432 in the system area is fetched, and the response 411 and the data 413 are returned to the interface 110. The interface 110 communicates with the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the SD memory card standard. From the partition type of the read master boot record and the total number of clusters calculated from several parameters related to the sector of the partition boot sector, it is confirmed whether the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled. Note that this confirmation method is an example, and can be freely changed by the recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter, a series of these processes is referred to as a file system confirmation sequence).

  In the file system confirmation sequence, if it is determined that the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled, as a normal access of the SD memory card, a write command is used to write predetermined data in the data area and a file allocation table corresponding to the system area ( FAT), write a copy of FAT. Also, predetermined data in the data area is read by a read command.

  FIG. 6a shows a configuration diagram of the first recording area 151 in a state where the normal access in the first embodiment of the present invention is completed. The recording means 150 is composed of an aggregate called a cluster composed of a plurality of sectors. The first recording area 151 is composed of 16 clusters, and the system area 310 is composed of one cluster. The master boot record / partition table, partition boot sector, file allocation table (FAT), FAT A copy and a root directory are written and are represented by diagonal lines. The used data area 311 and the unused data area 312 are composed of 15 clusters. The used data area 311 is represented by a vertical line, and the unused data area 312 is represented by a blank. The numbers added to the clusters of the used data area 311 and the unused data area 312 represent the cluster number.

  FIG. 6B shows a directory structure of data stored in the first recording area 151 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. When normal access ends, data is stored in the used data area 311 in a directory structure corresponding to the DCF standard as shown in FIG. 6B. Reference numeral 610 denotes a root directory, 611 denotes a DCF image root directory “DCIM”, 612 denotes a DCF directory “100_PANA”, and 613 denotes a DCF file “P1000001.JPG”, which are stored in the form of a tree structure.

  FIG. 6c shows the data structure of the first recording area 151 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The file allocation table 620 is a table showing the link structure of the clusters constituting the files stored in the data area. The root directory 610 stores a file name, a leading cluster number, and various attributes, and uses 32 kilobytes per file. Some attributes mean directories and others mean files.

  In the file allocation table 620, the values stored in the clusters constituting the file allocation table 620 and the cluster numbers of the data areas have a one-to-one correspondence, and are stored in each cluster constituting the file allocation table 620. The value stores the link destination, that is, the number of the cluster that follows. When there is no subsequent cluster, “FFFFh” is stored, and when it is not used, “0000h” is stored (hereinafter, the last h represents a hexadecimal number).

  For example, as shown in “root \ DCIM \ 100_PANA \ P1000001.JPG” shown in FIG. 6B, “DCIM” whose attribute is a directory exists in the root directory, and further, “100_PANA” whose attribute is a directory is included therein. And “P1000001.JPG” whose attribute is a file exists in the root directory 610, a file 621 indicating the DCF image root directory “DCIM” 611 (file name = DCIM, attribute = directory). , Leading cluster number = 2) is stored.

  Next, when moving to the cluster number 2 from the information on the leading cluster number (first cluster number = 2) stored in the file 621 indicating the DCF image root directory “DCIM” 611, the file 622 indicating the DCF directory “100_PANA” 612 is obtained. (File name = 100_PANA, attribute directory, head cluster number = 3) are stored. In addition, since “FFFFh” is stored in the cluster constituting the file allocation table 620 corresponding to the cluster number 2, the DCF image root directory “DCIM” ends with only the cluster number 2.

  Next, when the head cluster number information (first cluster number = 3) stored in the file 622 indicating the DCF directory “100_PANA” 612 is moved to the cluster number 3, the file 623 indicating the DCF file “P1000001.JPG” 613 is moved. (File name = P1000001.JPG, attribute = file, leading cluster number = 11) is stored. Further, since “FFFFh” is stored in the cluster constituting the file allocation table 620 corresponding to the cluster 3, the DCF directory “100_PANA” ends with only the cluster number 3.

  Next, when moving to the cluster number 11 from the information of the head cluster number (head cluster number = 11) indicating the DCF file “P1000001.JPG” 614, data 624 constituting the DCF file “P1000001.JPG” 614 is stored. Yes. Further, since “0012h” is stored in the cluster constituting the file allocation table 620 corresponding to the cluster 11, the data constituting the DCF file “P1000001.JPG” follows the cluster number 12. Since “FFFFh” is stored in the cluster constituting the file allocation table 620 corresponding to the cluster number 12, the data constituting the DCF file “P1000001.JPG” 613 ends with the cluster number 11 and the cluster number 12. Become.

  As described above, “root ¥ DCIM ¥ 100_PANA ¥ P1000001.JPG” is stored in the data area in the order of cluster number “2” → “3” → “11” → “12”.

  Next, the operation when the recording medium 100 storing the data shown in FIG. 7 is used in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT32 file system will be described. The operation for using the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT32 file system as the recording medium 100 includes an initial setting performed on the recording medium 100, a specification confirmation sequence, a file system confirmation sequence, and data access performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) and the directory structure of stored data in the first embodiment of the present invention. The data structure of the second recording area 152 to the fourth recording area 154 is the same as the data structure of the first recording area 151 described with reference to FIG.

  First, as an initial setting for the recording medium 100, information that the FAT32 file system is accessed from the outside of the recording medium 100 is given, and the recording medium 100 is inserted into a recording / playback apparatus of the FAT32 file system (for example, the recording medium 100 described above) Use a slide switch.)

  When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT32 file system detects that the recording medium 100 is inserted, the recording / reproducing apparatus executes a specification confirmation sequence.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus that has completed the specification confirmation sequence uses the access area instruction signal 421 to confirm whether the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled by the FAT16 file system 301 system in the first recording area 151. A read command for reading (master boot record / partition table, partition boot sector) in the area is issued. Further, the file system determination unit 402 receives a file system switching signal 420 from a switch provided outside the recording medium 100, and outputs a file system generation signal 422 in an enabled state. Since the command decoder 401 accesses the file system switching signal 420 using the FAT32 file system, the command decoder 401 sends a read command for reading the system area of the FAT16 file system 301 in the first recording area 151 to four recording areas (first recording area (first recording area)). It is interpreted as a command for reading the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 in the area 151 to the fourth recording area 154), and an address acquisition timing signal 416 corresponding to the command is output, and the address acquisition means 403 acquires the address. . In the memory interface 404, since the file system generation signal 422 output from the file system determination unit 402 is enabled, the address conversion unit 406 converts the acquired address 418 into four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area). The recording area 154) is converted into an address where the FAT16 file system 301 to 304 exists, and a memory address 431 and a memory control signal 430 are sequentially output to obtain four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154). ) FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 are fetched as memory data 432. Further, the pseudo file system conversion means 405 converts the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 in the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) into the FAT32 file system 305 in a pseudo manner. In addition to writing to the file system storage area 140, the FAT32 file system 305 is fetched as memory data 432, and a response 411 and data 413 are returned to the interface 110. The interface 110 communicates with the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the SD memory card standard. From the partition type of the read master boot record and the total number of clusters calculated from several parameters related to the sector of the partition boot sector, it is confirmed whether the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled. Note that this confirmation method is an example, and can be freely changed by the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  If it is determined in the file system confirmation sequence that the recording medium 100 is a file system that can be handled, as a normal access of the SD memory card, a write command is used to write predetermined data in the data area and the FAT and FAT corresponding to the system area. Write a copy. Also, predetermined data in the data area is read by a read command.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the pseudo file system conversion means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a pseudo file system conversion unit 405 includes a directory detection unit 501, a subdirectory detection unit 502, an address table generation unit 500 including a file detection unit 503, an address table integration unit 504, a write area instruction unit 505, and a data write unit. 506.

  The directory detection unit 501 uses the directory “DCIM” recorded in the file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard from the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 acquired from the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154). Are sequentially detected. When the directory “DCIM” is detected, the address of the directory “DCIM” is output to the subdirectory detecting unit 502 as the address table 511. If the directory “DCIM” is not detected, the process moves to the FAT16 file system of the next recording area and returns to the operation of the directory detecting unit 501.

  The subdirectory detecting unit 502 receives the address table 511 output from the directory detecting unit 501 and detects a subdirectory of the directory “DCIM”. If a subdirectory is detected, the subdirectory name and subdirectory address are added to the address table 511 and output to the file detection unit 503 as the address table 521. If no subdirectory is detected, the process proceeds to the FAT16 file system of the next recording area, and the operation returns to the directory detecting means 501.

  The file detection unit 503 receives the address table 521 output from the subdirectory detection unit 502 and detects a file in the subdirectory. When a file is detected, the file name and the file address are added to the address table 521 and output to the address table integration unit 504 as the address table 531. If no file is detected, the process moves to the next FAT16 file system and returns to the operation of the directory detecting means 501.

  The address table integration unit 504 receives the address table 531, and further receives a subdirectory name 550 and a subdirectory address 560 output from the data writing unit 506, which will be described later, when data is written from the external recording / reproducing apparatus. , The FAT32 file system 305 is collectively output.

  The writing area instruction means 505 detects free space from the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 in the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154), and outputs the address 540 of the recording area to which data is written. To do.

  The data writing means 506 receives the address 540 of the recording area output from the writing area instruction means 505, writes data 570 corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus, and writes the subdirectory name 550 of the written data. And the sub-directory address 560 are output to the address table integration means 504.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a detailed flow of the controller 120 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, when an access request to the recording area is issued from the recording / reproducing apparatus of the FAT32 file system, in step 801, the FAT16 file system of four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154). 301 to 304 are acquired.

  In step 802, the pseudo file system conversion unit 405 converts the acquired FAT 16 file systems 301 to 304 into a FAT 32 file system 305 in a pseudo manner.

  In step 803, the FAT32 file system 305 converted by the pseudo file system conversion means 405 is stored in the pseudo file system storage area 140.

  In step 804, based on the file system switching signal 420 input from the outside of the recording medium 100, the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 and the FAT32 file system 305 are selected, and the selected file system is output to the external recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Next, step 802 (operation of the pseudo file system conversion unit 405) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of the pseudo file system conversion unit 405 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 9, when the pseudo file system conversion step 802 is started, in step 901, the directory “DCIM” recorded in the file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard is detected from the FAT16 file system.

  In Step 902, when the directory “DCIM” is detected from the FAT16 file system 301 acquired from the first recording area 151 among the acquired FAT16 file systems 301 to 304, the directory “DCIM” is detected (Yes in Step 902). ) Generates the address of the directory “DCIM” as the address table 511, and proceeds to Step 903. If the directory “DCIM” is not detected (No in Step 902), an empty address table 511 is generated, and the process proceeds to Step 907.

  In step 903, a subdirectory of the directory “DCIM” is detected based on the address table 511.

  If a subdirectory is detected in step 904 (Yes in step 904), the subdirectory name and the subdirectory address are added to the address table 511 to generate the address table 521, and the process proceeds to step 905. If no subdirectory is detected (No in step 904), an empty address table 521 is generated, and the process proceeds to step 907.

  In step 905, a file in the subdirectory is detected based on the address table 521.

  If a file is detected in step 906 (Yes in step 906), the file name and the file address are added to the address table 521 to generate the address table 531, and the process proceeds to step 907. If no file is detected (No in step 906), an empty address table 531 is generated, and the process proceeds to step 907.

  In step 907, it is determined whether address tables have been generated for all of the acquired FAT16 file systems 301 to 304. If address tables have been generated for all FAT16 file systems (Yes in step 907), step 909 is performed. (When writing data) or go to Step 910 (when reading data). If the address table for all FAT16 file systems has not been generated (No in Step 907), the process proceeds to Step 908.

  In step 908, the target FAT16 file system is switched to perform the series of operations in steps 901 to 907 for all of the acquired FAT16 file systems 301 to 304. The initial state is that the FAT16 file system 501 in the first recording area 151 is the first file system, and the second recording area 152, the third recording area 153, and the fourth recording area 154 are switched in this order, and each time switching is performed. The number of times (CT) is counted up.

  When a series of operations are performed on the FAT16 file system 301 acquired from the first recording area 151, the number of switching is set to 0 (CT = 0), and the FAT16 file acquired from the second recording area 152 is used. For the system 302, the address tables 512, 522, and 532 are generated with the switching frequency set to 1 (CT = 1), and the switching frequency is set for the FAT 16 file system 303 acquired from the third recording area 153. The address tables 513, 523, and 533 are generated twice (CT = 2), and for the FAT16 file system 304 acquired from the fourth recording area 154, the number of switching is set to three times (CT = 3). Tables 514, 524, and 534 are generated.

  In step 909, in the case of a data write request from the external recording / reproducing apparatus, a data write step is executed. The detailed flow of step 909 will be described later.

  In step 910, the address table generated for each recording area is collected as the FAT32 file system 305.

  In step 902, step 904, and step 906, when the address table is generated, the data area is managed so that the recording area recognized as the four recording areas in the FAT16 file system can be recognized as one large-capacity recording area. The cluster number being converted is converted. The conversion method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship of the cluster numbers of the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) that can be recognized by the FAT16 and FAT32 file systems in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, each of the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) has 1002 clusters (TS = 1002), and the system area (301 to 304) has two clusters. Assume that (SS = 2) and the data area is managed by 1000 clusters (DS = TS-SS = 1002-2 = 1000) with cluster numbers 2 to 1001.

  First, an address offset when an address table is generated from the FAT16 file system 301 in the first recording area 151 is obtained. Since the file system is not switched, CT = 0 and the address offset is 0 (OF = DS × CT = 1000 × 0 = 0). This address offset is added to cluster numbers 2 to 1001 managed by the FAT16 file system 301 to generate address tables 511, 521 and 531. That is, the first recording area 151 is managed with the same cluster number in the FAT16 and FAT32 file systems.

  Similarly, the address offset when generating the address table from the FAT16 file system 302 in the second recording area 152 is that the file system is switched once in step 908 (CT = 1), so the address offset is 1000. It becomes. This address offset is added to the cluster numbers 2 to 1001 managed by the FAT16 file system 302, and the address tables 512, 522 and 532 are generated using the cluster numbers 1002 to 2001 managed by the FAT32 file system.

  Similarly, the address offset when generating the address table from the FAT16 file system 303 in the third recording area 153 is the file system switching performed twice in step 908 (CT = 2), so the address offset is 2000. It becomes. This address offset is added to the cluster numbers 2 to 1001 managed by the FAT16 file system 302, and the address tables 513, 523 and 533 are generated using the cluster numbers 2002 to 3001 managed by the FAT32 file system.

  Similarly, the address offset when the address table is generated from the FAT16 file system 304 in the fourth recording area 154 is changed three times in step 908 (CT = 3), so the address offset is 3000. It becomes. This address offset is added to the cluster numbers 2 to 1001 managed by the FAT16 file system 302, and the address tables 514, 524 and 534 are generated using the cluster numbers 3002 to 4001 managed by the FAT32 file system.

  The address tables converted by adding the address offset as described above are shown in FIGS. 11a to 11d. 11a to 11d are diagrams showing address tables generated from the FAT16 file system (301 to 304) of the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is.

  11a to 11d, 511, 521 and 531 are address tables generated from the FAT16 file system in the first recording area 151, and 512, 522 and 532 are address tables generated from the FAT16 file system in the second recording area 152. , 513, 523, 533 are address tables generated from the FAT16 file system of the third recording area 153, and 514, 524, 534 are address tables generated from the FAT16 file system of the fourth recording area 154.

Next, step 910 (operation of the address table integration unit 504) will be described with reference to FIGS. 12a to 12e.
In step 910 (operation of the address table integration unit 504), two address tables are always put together. First, the third recording area is selected from the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154). A method of combining the address table 533 and the address table 534 generated from the 153 and the fourth recording area 154 will be described.

  12a to 12e are diagrams illustrating a procedure for collecting the address table 533 for the third recording area 153 and the address table 534 for the fourth recording area 154 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 12 a is a diagram showing the initial state of the address table 533 and the address table 534, where 1201 is the FAT of the third recording area 153, 1202 is the information of the directory “DCIM”, 1203 is the information of the subdirectory “101_PANA”, 1204. Is the information of the file “P100001.JPG”, 1205 is the FAT of the fourth recording area 154, 1206 is the information of the directory “DCIM”, 1207 is the information of the subdirectory “100_PANA”, 1208 is the information of the file “P1000001.JPG” Indicates.

  FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a state in which the directory “DCIM” is integrated, 1211 and 1212 indicate FATs changed by the integration, and 1213 indicates information of the generated directory “DCIM”.

  FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a state in which subdirectories are integrated. Reference numerals 1221 and 1222 indicate FATs changed by integration, and reference numerals 1223 and 1224 indicate information on the generated subdirectories “101_PANA” and “100_PANA”.

  FIG. 12D is a diagram showing a state in which the file “P1010001.JPG” is integrated, 1231 and 1232 indicate the FAT changed by the integration, and 1233 indicates the information of the generated file “PIC — 0001.JPG”.

  FIG. 12E is a diagram showing a state in which the file “P1000001.JPG” is integrated, where 1241 is the FAT changed by the integration, 1242 is the information of the generated file “PIC — 0001.JPG”, 1243 is the address table 533 and the address table 534. An address table generated by integration is shown.

  Next, the directory “DCIM” is detected from the address table 533. When the directory “DCIM” is detected from the address table 533, the leading cluster number 2003 indicated by the information 1202 of the directory “DCIM” is stored.

  Next, the directory “DCIM” is detected from the address table 534. When the directory “DCIM” is detected from the address table 534, the head cluster number 3004 indicated by the information 1206 of the directory “DCIM” is stored.

  Since the directory “DCIM” is detected from the address table 533 and the address table 534, the information is newly generated as the information “1213” of the directory “DCIM” so as to be recognized as one directory, and the two stored cluster numbers are the information of the directory “DCIM”. FAT1211 and 1212 are generated so that

  Next, it moves to the first cluster number 2003 indicated by the information 1202 of the directory “DCIM” stored from the address table 533 and detects a subdirectory. When the subdirectory “101_PANA” is detected from the address table 533, the head cluster number 2004 indicated by the information 1203 of the subdirectory “101_PANA” is stored.

  Similarly, it moves to the first cluster number 3004 indicated by the information 1203 of the directory “DCIM” stored from the address table 534, and detects a subdirectory. When the subdirectory “100_PANA” is detected from the address table 534, the head cluster number 3010 indicated by the information 1207 of the subdirectory “100_PANA” is stored.

  Since the sub-directory “101_PANA” is detected in the address table 533 and the sub-directory “100_PANA” is detected in the address table 534, the information 1223 of the sub-directory “101_PANA” and the sub-directory “100_PANA” are newly recognized so as to be recognized as the sub-directory. The FATs 1221 and 1222 are generated so that the cluster number generated as the information 1224 and the stored cluster number becomes the information of the subdirectory.

  Next, the file moves to the first cluster number 2004 indicated by the information 1203 of the subdirectory “101_PANA” stored from the address table 533 to detect a file. When the file “P10100001.JPG” is detected from the address table 533, the first cluster number 2010 indicated by the information 1204 of the file “P10100001.JPG” is stored.

  Since the file “P1010001.JPG” is detected in the address table 533, it is newly generated as information “1233” of the file “PIC — 0001.JPG” so that it can be recognized as a file, and the stored cluster number and the subsequent cluster number become the file information. FAT1231 and 1232 are generated.

  Next, the file moves to the first cluster number 3010 indicated by the information 1207 of the subdirectory “100_PANA” stored from the address table 534 to detect the file. When the file “P1000001.JPG” is detected from the address table 534, the first cluster number 3011 indicated by the information 1208 of the file “P1000001.JPG” is stored.

  Since the file “P1000001.JPG” is detected in the address table 534, a new file “PIC — 0001.JPG” is generated as information 1242 so as to be recognized as a file, and a FAT 1241 is generated so that the stored cluster number becomes the file information. To do.

  As described above, the address table 1243 is generated by integrating the address table 533 and the address table 534. Similarly, the address table 1243 and the address table 532 are integrated to generate a new address table, and then the address table 531 is integrated to integrate all four address tables to generate the FAT32 file system 305.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a conversion result at the time of data reading in the first embodiment of the present invention.
When the directory structure data shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154), the sub-directory “100_PANA” is integrated by the controller 120 with the FAT 32. The file system 305 is stored in the pseudo file system storage area 140.

  Next, step 909 (operation at the time of data writing) will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15a, and 15b.

  Assume that a write request for data (file size is assumed to be four clusters) is issued from the FAT32 file system recording / playback apparatus. [Root \ DCIM \ 102_PANA \ PIC_0001.JPG] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of step 909 (operation at the time of data writing) in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a file allocation table of the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a conversion result at the time of data writing.

  15A, 1501 is a file allocation table of the FAT16 file system 301, 1502 is a file allocation table of the FAT16 file system 302, 1503 is a file allocation table of the FAT16 file system 303, and 1504 is a file allocation table of the FAT16 file system 304.

  In FIG. 14, when the data writing step 909 is started, the FAT16 file systems 301 to 304 of the four recording areas (first recording area 151 to fourth recording area 154) are acquired in step 1401, The number of clusters in which “0000h” is stored is counted from the allocation tables 1501 to 1504, and the free capacity is detected.

  For example, the file allocation table 1501 has four clusters as free capacity, the file allocation table 1502 has three clusters as free capacity, and the file allocation table 1501 has six clusters as free capacity, a file allocation table. From 1501, it is assumed that seven clusters are detected as free capacity.

  In step 1402, the free capacity is compared with the file size of the write data, and if a sufficient free capacity is detected with respect to the write data capacity (Yes in step 1402), the process proceeds to step 1403.

  In this embodiment, since the file size is four clusters, it is determined that there is sufficient free space. If sufficient free space cannot be detected (No in step 1402), the process proceeds to step 1406.

  In step 1403, the free capacities are compared to determine whether there are two or more recording areas having the maximum free capacity. If there are two or more recording areas having the maximum free capacity (Yes in step 1403), go to step 1405. Transition. If there is one recording area having the maximum free capacity (No in step 1403), the process proceeds to step 1404.

  In step 1404, the data corresponding to the DCF standard requested to be written from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written in the recording area having the maximum free capacity, and the process proceeds to step 910. In this embodiment, writing is performed to the fourth recording area 154 having the maximum free capacity.

  In step 1405, data corresponding to the DCF standard requested to be written from the external recording / reproducing apparatus has the maximum free capacity, and is further written in the first recording area counted from the first recording area 151, and the process proceeds to step 910.

  In step 1406, since the free space in the recording area is not sufficient for the write data capacity, an error status is output as a response, and the pseudo file system conversion step 802 is terminated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, by providing a pseudo file system conversion means, a memory card divided into a plurality of recording areas within 2 gigabytes and formatted in FAT16 is replaced with a FAT16 digital device and FAT32 This makes it possible to share files without converting the file system according to the format, and maintain compatibility.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the address table integration unit has described that the FAT32 file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory when a subdirectory having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area. Similar results can be obtained even if the FAT32 file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory when the names of subdirectories containing common characters exist in the address table of each recording area.

  A recording medium and a storage area switching method according to the present invention are divided into a plurality of recording areas of 2 gigabytes or less and are formatted in a specific file system (for example, FAT16), and a file system (for example, FAT32) that can handle a large capacity. The recording area in the recording medium without using the format can be used in the recording / reproducing apparatus (1), which is useful when shared between recording / reproducing apparatuses having different file systems. In particular, it can be suitably used for a memory card connected to a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a digital camera.

1 is a block diagram of a recording medium in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the detail of the interface in Example 1 of this invention FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the pseudo file system storage area in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the block structure of the controller in Example 1 of this invention, and the connection of a peripheral block. Block diagram of pseudo file system conversion means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the structure of the 1st recording area 151 in the state where the normal access in Example 1 of this invention was complete | finished The figure which shows the directory structure of the data stored in the 1st recording area 151 in Example 1 of this invention The figure which shows the data structure of the 1st recording area 151 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of four recording areas (the 1st recording area 151-the 4th recording area 154) in Example 1 of this invention, and the directory structure of the stored data. The figure which shows the detailed flow of the controller 120 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the detailed flow of the pseudo file system conversion means 405 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the relationship of the cluster number of four recording areas (1st recording area 151-4th recording area 154) which can be recognized with FAT16 and FAT32 file system in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the address table produced | generated from the FAT16 file system 301 of the 1st recording area 151 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the address table produced | generated from the FAT16 file system 302 of the 2nd recording area 152 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the address table produced | generated from the FAT16 file system 303 of the 3rd recording area 153 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the address table produced | generated from the FAT16 file system 304 of the 4th recording area 154 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the initial state of the address table 533 with respect to the 3rd recording area 153 and the address table 534 with respect to the 4th recording area 154 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the state which integrated the directory DCIM of the address table 533 with respect to the 3rd recording area 153 and the address table 534 with respect to the 4th recording area 154 in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the state which integrated the subdirectory of the address table 533 with respect to the 3rd recording area 153 in Example 1 of this invention, and the address table 534 with respect to the 4th recording area 154. FIG. The file P1010001. Of the address table 533 for the third recording area 153 and the address table 534 for the fourth recording area 154 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the state where JPG is integrated The file P1000001. Of the address table 533 for the third recording area 153 and the address table 534 for the fourth recording area 154 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the state where JPG is integrated The figure which shows the conversion result at the time of the data reading in Example 1 of this invention The figure which shows the detailed flow of step 909 (operation at the time of data writing) in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the file allocation table of FAT16 file system 301-304 in Example 1 of this invention. Diagram showing conversion results when writing data The figure which shows the directory structure based on the conventional DCF standard The figure which shows the directory structure of the image data recognized with the digital camera of FAT16 with respect to the memory card with a several memory area The figure which shows the directory structure of the image data recognized with the digital camera of FAT32 with respect to the memory card with a several memory area

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Recording medium 110 Interface 120 Controller 130 Internal register 140 Pseudo file system storage area 150 Recording means 151 1st recording area 152 2nd recording area 153 3rd recording area 154 4th recording area 200 Interface driver 301 1st FAT16 file system which the recording area 151 has 302 FAT16 file system which the second recording area 152 has 303 FAT16 file system which the third recording area 153 has 304 FAT16 file system which the fourth recording area 154 has 305 FAT32 file system 310 system Area 311 Used data area 312 Unused data area 401 Command decoder 402 File system discrimination means 403 Address acquisition means 40 Memory interface 405 Pseudo file system conversion means 406 Address conversion means 410 Command 411 Response 412 Address 413 Data 414 Internal register address 415 Internal register value 416 Address acquisition timing signal 417 Memory access timing signal 418 Acquisition address 420 File system switching signal 421 Access area instruction Signal 422 File system generation signal 430 Memory control signal 431 Memory address 432 Memory data 500 Address table generation means 501 Directory detection means 502 Subdirectory detection means 503 File detection means 504 Address table integration means 505 Write area instruction means 506 Data writing means 511 521,531 First record Address table generated from FAT16 file system in area 151 512, 522, 532 Address table generated from FAT16 file system in second recording area 152 Address generated from FAT16 file system in third recording area 153 Table 514, 524, 534 Address table generated from FAT16 file system of fourth recording area 154 540 Address of recording area 550 Subdirectory name 560 Address of subdirectory 570 Data corresponding to DCF standard from external recording / reproducing apparatus 610 Route Directory 611 DCF image root directory 612 DCF directory 613 DCF file 620 File allocation table 621 DCF File 623 DCF file "P1000001 indicating the file 622 DCF directory" 100_PANA "612 indicating the image root directory" DCIM "611. File indicating “JPG” 613 624 Data constituting DCF file “P1000001.JPG” 613 1201 FAT of third recording area 153
1202, 1206, 1213 Information on directory “DCIM” 1203, 1223 Information on subdirectory “101_PANA” 1204 Information on file “P1010001.JPG” 1205 FAT on fourth recording area 154
1207, 1224 Information of subdirectory “100_PANA” 1208 Information of file “P1000001.JPG” 1211, 1212, 1221, 1222, 1231, 1232, 1241 FAT changed by integration
1323, 1242 Information of file “PIC — 0001.JPG” 1243 Address table generated by integrating address table 533 and address table 534 1501 File allocation table of FAT16 file system 301 1502 File allocation table of FAT16 file system 302 1503 FAT16 file system 303 File allocation table 1504 FAT16 file system 304 file allocation table 2001 root directory 2002 DCF image root directory 2003, 2004 DCF directory 2005, 2006 DCF file group 2101, 2102 image data group 2111, 21 recognized by the FAT16 digital camera 12 Directory having information on a plurality of recording areas 2113, 2114 DCF image root directory generated by the FAT16 digital camera 2120 Image data group recognizable by the FAT32 digital camera 2121 DCF image root directory newly generated

Claims (17)

In a recording medium connected to an external recording / reproducing device and reading / writing data
An interface connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus;
A plurality of recording areas having a first file system indicating a format, and
An internal register that holds characteristic values specific to the recording medium;
A controller for controlling the recording area in accordance with an instruction of the external recording / reproducing apparatus and a value of an internal register;
File system determination means for outputting a file system generation signal in accordance with a file system switching signal input from the outside of the recording medium;
Based on the file system generation signal, a pseudo file system conversion means for acquiring the first file system and pseudo-converting it to the second file system;
A pseudo file system storage area for storing the second file system converted by the pseudo file system conversion means,
When the external recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus that uses the first file system, the first file system in the plurality of recording areas is used as it is,
A recording medium using the second file system stored in the pseudo file system storage area when the external recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus that uses the second file system. The pseudo file system conversion means includes:
Address table generation means for generating an address table for each recording area from the first file system;
Address table integration means for collecting the address table for each recording area generated by the address table generation means as a second file system;
A writing area instruction means for detecting a free capacity of a plurality of recording areas and designating a recording area in which data is written;
Data writing means for writing data corresponding to the design rule for camera file system (hereinafter referred to as DCF) standard from the external recording / reproducing device to the recording area designated by the writing area instructing means. The recording medium according to claim 1. The address table generating means includes
Directory detecting means for detecting a directory recorded in a file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard from the first file system and generating a first address table;
Sub-directory detection means for detecting a sub-directory in the directory based on the first address table generated by the directory detection means, and generating a second address table;
The file detection unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a file detection unit that detects a file in a subdirectory based on the second address table generated by the directory detection unit and generates a third address table. recoding media. The address table integration means includes
3. The second file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory when a subdirectory having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generation means. Recording media. The address table integration means includes
The second file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory when a name of a subdirectory including a common character exists in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generation unit. 2. The recording medium according to 2. The address table integration means includes
3. The second file system is generated by converting to a pseudo file name when a file name having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area generated by the address table generating means. The recording medium described. The data writing means includes
3. The data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written in a recording area having a maximum free space among a plurality of recording areas to be detected by the writing area instruction means. recoding media. The data writing means includes
3. The data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written to the head recording area when the free areas of the plurality of recording areas detected by the writing area instruction means are the same. recoding media. In a recording medium connected to an external recording / reproducing device and reading / writing data
Obtaining a first file system possessed by a plurality of recording areas of the recording medium;
Pseudo-converting the first file system into a second file system;
Storing the second file system;
Selecting the first file system and the second file system based on a file system switching signal input from the outside of the recording medium, and outputting to the external recording / reproducing apparatus,
When the external recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus that uses the first file system, the first file system in the plurality of recording areas is used as it is,
When the external recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus that uses the second file system, the pseudo-converted second file system is used. The step of pseudo-converting the first file system into a second file system includes:
Detecting a directory recorded in the file management structure corresponding to the DCF standard from the first file system and generating a first address table (first address table generating step);
Detecting a subdirectory in the directory based on the first address table and generating a second address table (second address table generating step);
Detecting a file in the subdirectory based on the second address table and generating a third address table (third address table generating step);
Collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system;
Detecting free space in the plurality of recording areas and designating a recording area in which to write data;
10. The file system management method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of writing data corresponding to the DCF standard from an external recording / reproducing apparatus to the designated recording area. The address table generation step includes:
The file system management method according to claim 10, wherein the file system management method is repeatedly executed on the first file system acquired from each recording area. The step of collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system includes:
11. The file system management method according to claim 10, wherein when a subdirectory having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area, the second file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory. The step of collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system includes:
11. The file system management method according to claim 10, wherein when a subdirectory name including common characters exists in the address table of each recording area, the second file system is generated as a pseudo subdirectory. . The step of collecting the address table generated for each recording area as a second file system includes:
11. The file system management method according to claim 10, wherein when a file name having the same name exists in the address table of each recording area, the second file system is generated by converting the file name into a pseudo file name. The step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing device into the plurality of recording areas,
11. The file according to claim 10, wherein data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written in the recording area having the largest free capacity detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas. System management method. The step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing device into the plurality of recording areas,
11. The data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing apparatus is written to the head recording area when the free capacity detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas is the same. The file system management method described. The step of writing the data corresponding to the DCF standard from the external recording / reproducing device into the plurality of recording areas,
11. The file system management method according to claim 10, wherein when the free capacity detected in the step of detecting the free capacity of the plurality of recording areas is smaller than the data size, a write disable message is output.

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